NBA Rumors: Carmelo Anthony has no plans to play off then bench

NBA Rumors: Carmelo Anthony isn’t planning on coming off the bench next season for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and that might be a problem

After a season which consisted of more downs than ups for theOklahoma City Thunder, there’s no doubt that changes need to happen before the start of next season. Question is, what will those changes be?

Will it be Paul George electing to move on from the Thunder? Perhaps Carmelo Anthony too?

Both of those things could theoretically happen the summer, but you’d think that OKC would want to bring back both. However, if they do bring back both, there are a number of other changes that also likely need to happen.

For instance, it would probably be best for this team if Carmelo moved to a bench role. He could be the super sixth man and control the bench unit.

You’d think that it would fit his game perfectly. He could light up the scoreboard on any night, even more so against other second units.

That, though, will not happen. Not if Melo has any say so. Shortly after the Thunder season came to an end, he was asked if he would come off the bench next season, you know, to help the team add a different element.

His answer, well it wasn’t so motivating.

"[via ESPN]“Yeah, I’m not sacrificing no bench role,” Anthony said. “That’s out of the question.”Anthony’s answer was consistent with the way he felt on his first day with the Thunder, famously saying, “Who, me?” when asked about moving to the second unit, and telling Paul George as he walked by, “Hey, P! They want me to come off the bench!”"

Melo averaged a career low 16 points and six rebounds per game on a a subpart 40 percent shooting from the field. It was easily the worst statistical season of his career, and at times this season is was difficult to watch the trio of Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Melo try to work together on the offensive end.

More often than not, they would just take turns on offense. Plus, at this point in Melo’s career, he simply isn’t the same player he used to be, which makes his offensive possessions that much more frustrating.

There’s still a spot in the NBA for Carmelo Anthony, but he won’t realize that until he accepts that he isn’t a superstar anymore.